DIRECTIONS

Immerse the basil leaves in boiling water for 1 minute (this guarantees a lovely bright-green pesto that will not go dark). Wash and dry the leaves and shred them by hand. Put the basil in a mortar with the pine nuts and garlic and work until the mixture is reduced to a paste. Add the cheeses and oil a little at a time, still pounding, alternating the Pecorino and Parmesan and taking care that each addition is absorbed before adding more.

As the mixture thickens add a little more oil, and at the end taste and add salt, if necessary. The resulting pesto is a creamy soft sauce. (If you prefer to use an electric mixer, the order of procedure is the same. It only takes a few minutes, and the result can be quite satisfactory.)

About 10 minutes before cooking the pasta, cook the potatoes in boiling salted water until tender. While the pasta is cooking, cook the green beans in boiling salted water until al dente.

Cook the trenette in boiling salted water until al dente. Before draining the trenette, stir the butter and a little of the pasta's cooking water into the pesto sauce to dilute it and give it a creamier consistency.

MIX CAN OF SOUP WITH ONE CAN WATER AND POUR OVER TOP IF PREPARED IN SLOW COOOKER COOK ALL DAY ON LOW IF COOKING IN OVEN COVER WITH LID OR FOIL 350 FOR 1 1/2 HRS IF ON TOP OF STOVE COVER AND COOK ON LOW FOR 1 HOUR...